To Wii or not to Wii, that is the question

[schneemann]

The family is contemplating buying a Wii, but I'm not sure.

Arguments Against:
1) I'm not into games. I was obsessed with my Atari 2600 when I was a kid, but around the time Nintendo came out, I got interested in other stuff. I played some Nintendo and Sega but I just plain SUCKED, so that helped eliminate all interest.
2) My wife is the same way
3) Wiis are damn expensive. The original game console isn't too bad, but all the extra controllers and other **** you have to buy really adds up, bigtime
4) My kids are 5 and 3. I don't see a lot of educational games out there for the Wii

Arguments For:
1) I'd like to find ways to keep the kids away from the TV. I think we do a good job of this already but, when the kids are bored I think of a Wii as a better alternative to TV
2) Similar to above, it can be a good way to get people moving. I would def. be buying the Wii Fit
3) This is something the family can do together.

 

[ChshreCat]

We got a Wii for our daughter and we love it. Even my wife who has NEVER been into video games has taken a few turns and asked for a Wii Fit for her birthday. It lets the kids play video games and still gets their butts off the couch. When we break out the Wii sports disc, it doesn't take long before we're all sweaty and worn out.

Granted, some of the games are more active than others. My daughter plays some on there that use the controllers in a more traditional style.

 

[talleymonster]

Let's get Wiitarded in here......

Go for it. We have one and love it. We just had a party for UFC 91 and after the fight we played boxing, tennis, baseball and rock band all night long. My 17 month old daughter will play the drums. On an easy enough setting she can make it aboiut half way through a song before she fails. Granted she doesn't know what she's doing, but she's having fun.

Really, you can break a sweat on some of those games. I know when w're doing boxing we're always panting by the end of the fight.

 

[arturo7]

Go outside and play.

 

[farmbrewernw]

Get them to help you brew

 

[ChshreCat]

Combine the two and create a Wii Brewing game.

"It's boiling over! Hit up, up, down, up, select, B! UP, UP DOWN, UP, SELECT, B!!!"

 

[Dr_Deathweed]

Combine the two and create a Wii Brewing game.

"It's boiling over! Hit up, up, down, up, select, B! UP, UP DOWN, UP, SELECT, B!!!"

oooooooo, I have leveled up to EAC! I can now equip the hop bag of awesomeness with +10 hop extraction and anti-foam abilities!



I like it

EDIT: Oh, to contribute, get the Wii. Even my wife who usually hates playing video games will get up and play Rayman. BTW Rayman and rayman 2 are freakin awesome just stupid get-together type games.

 

[bad coffee]

Try to find a game stop by you. The Ex bought her wii from there.

All used 'accessories' were buy three get one free. You might be able to find a used console as well.

B

 

[Pivzavod]

if you want true home entertainment you should get a ps3. you can play much better games on it and watch blu rays in full 1080p HD. in addtion to that you can play movies, music from ps3's hard drive or from the network, you can also stream web content to it. its all in 1 home entertainment unit.

at my job we had a corporate wii olympics, it was fun but cheesy open bar also helped

 

[Evan!]

if you want true home entertainment you should get a ps3. you can play much better games on it and watch blu rays in full 1080p HD. in addtion to that you can play movies, music from ps3's hard drive or from the network, you can also stream web content to it. its all in 1 home entertainment unit.

at my job we had a corporate wii olympics, it was fun but cheesy open bar also helped

I've got a Wii and a PS3. I had the PS3 for awhile before I got the wii, and I'll just say this: since we got the Wii, I haven't played anything on the PS3. It's NOT the same. Don't get me wrong, I love the PS3, I have logged many hours on the Orange Box and GTA IV, and the graphics are awesome! I use it all the time as my BD player, too. But there's a huge, huge difference between playing a game with your thumbs and playing a game with your whole body. I've never liked golf games before, but with Tiger Woods 09 on the Wii, you actually swing the remote like a club...and I'm freakin addicted! The graphics aren't as cool, no, but in terms of real-deal fun, it's pretty great. You really can't compare the two consoles, because it's a different concept. That, and, well, there are few things quite as cool as being able to download and play old NES games on my big Aquos for $5.

 

[RonRock]

Wii Fit is the bomb! I use it my wife uses it and the kids use it. Fun way to actually get some exercise. I'd never even thought about doing Yoga before, with the Wii I enjoy it. The games are good too. Although I'm not much of a Gamer, when I do play one I'm amazed at the way these new game's are.

 

[DeathBrewer]

wii is fun for all. i don't play alot of video games, but i'm always down for some wii bowling!

 

[MikeFlynn74]

Wii is one of the few things you will never regret buying

 

[9/9]

We also love our Wii. My wife really enjoyed the interactive nature of many of the games, I like the fact that I can play all of my old 8-bit games over again.

 

[tuckferrorists]

Wii is one of the few things you will never regret buying

i regret buying mine. After we bought ours, we joined gamefly and rented tons of games. Didn't really like any. Most were too cartoony. After the first couple of weeks, the new feeling of playing a game "with your whole body" got old. The games and graphics weren't enough to sustain the my playing of it for more than a few weeks. The only reason I don't sell it is because I'm holding out for a decent game or upgrade.

Now don't start thinking I don't play video games. I play the **** out of some Xbox 360. Halo 3, Cod 4 & 5, Rockband, tons of other games.

 

[capcrnch]

Get it.
More so to promote "family" activities.
Your kids will love it, you will love it, your wife will love it, the neighbors butler will love it, the farmer that provides the curd to the local market will even love it.

No brainer.
Dewit.

 

[machfive]

we have had one for a little over a year now an every time family comes over we end up starting it up and having tons of fun. Granted, i have been burned on some games I thought were going to be cool, but all-in-all, we love it.

 

[B-rad]

We love our wii.. Im like you.. had more interst in a atari than a ps3.. lol.. but this thing is great.. My swmbo loves wii fit and mario party such games.. Imm more into the wiiware games that you download.. Ive been hooked on Dr. Mario playin online since the summer/..

 

[brauhaus]

Probably jumping in too late, but go for it!

My folks have it for when we all get together and it is super fun! although be careful, my kid had a nice black eye from me getting carried away and getting a little "too" into the competition of bowling.

 

[B-rad]

Probably jumping in too late, but go for it!

My folks have it for when we all get together and it is super fun! although be careful, my kid had a nice black eye from me getting carried away and getting a little "too" into the competition of bowling.

HAHAHAHA
my girlfriend broke our fan and a window the first day we got it... and she didnt even get a STRIKE!!

 

[schweaty]

I bought a Wii for my wife and I'm not happy with it at all. The titles are very lame and the graphics are about as good as PS2 and old Xbox. For the family I'm sure its great but I feel personally it lacks where I would like better performace. Lack of sports/action games and graphics ruins it for me.

 

[HBHoss]

Get it while you can. They are a hot seller right now. Your kids'll love it and it gets you active. I played it last time I visited my parents and it was a lot of fun.

 

[TeufelBrew]

My wife HATE'S video games. Kids only get one hour of technology a day, even on weekends. The original Grinch for game play. Age range is 16, 12, 10. Oh and two 'adults' loosely termed.

She REQUESTED a Wii Fit for her birthday and gets everyone involved and still keeps kids to only one hour of techno per day. The fact that using it works out more than a thumb convinced her it was a smashing idea.

 

[Docapi]

Comparing a Wii to a PS3 is really apples and oranges.

The graphisc, processing power, etc on the PS3 will blow away the Wii. The Wii simply isn't that advanced of a system when it comes to the actual technical aspects. Hardcore gamers will much prefer the PS3.

The Wii, on the other hand, isn't even trying to compete in those areas. Their whole focus is on simple, active, fun games. Games that get you and the whole family off the couch and moving. Games that the WHOLE family can play, right down to the 2 or 3 year olds.

Halo would suck on a Wii, but Wii sports would be boring as hell with a PS3 controller.

If you are a gamer and into Halo, GTA, etc type games, you'll prefer PS3.

If you are not realy much of a gamer, and are just looking to have soem fun- especially if you have younger kids that you want to be able to play, Get the Wii. Get is now.

Now, if Sony were to come out wiht a motioin sensitive controller like the Wii has, I think theyd blow Wii right out of the market. The fun, active, Wii interface with the better graphics, processing power, etc of the PS# would be tough to turn down. (That and no longer having the "can't find that game anywehere ecause they intentionally produce them more slowly than they Sell" thing.)

 

[buckrogers71]

we have a PS2 and the wii. I bought the PS2 for a DVD player + for the games. It is hardly ever used. Bought the Wii for the kids and while they play it, it is in spurts. Granted they are involved in sports, but they will play it non stop for a month then maybe (if lucky) once a month. I play it on occasion as well

Is it worth it? I dont know. I guess so. We got the kids Wii fit for xmas so we shall see

 

[Soulive]

I agree with the "go outside and play" attitude, but I know sometimes that isn't feasible. If my (hypothetical) kids need to be in front of the TV, I would rather they play Wii than watch 90% of the sh!t on the tube. I think the Wii Fit option is an excellent way to keep active indoors. Even games like golf and bowling burn more calories than just watching TV. They're great while drinking beer as well...

 

[schneemann]

Thanks everyone for all your responses!

Generally speaking, we do have a 'Go out and play' mentality. The best part is that I don't have to force them to go outside and play. The girls have a HUGE play set outside and everyday when they come home from daycare they run around back to go play on it. The wife & I also have a huge garden which takes a lot of work, and the girls like to help with it. So basically, when the weather's good, we're outside.

The downside, of course, is fall & winter. As of about a week and a half ago, its been too cold outside to do much. Last night we went real-life bowling and the girls had an awesome time.

We're def. getting a Wii. Thanks again, everyone, for your input.

 

[Saccharomyces]

Wii is a great family entertainment. All of you can (and should) play together.. it's better if the kids aren't glued to the Wii or the TV all day anyway but that shouldn't stop you from getting one. A few sessions with a game costs about as much as going to a movie, and is just as much or more fun as a family. Not to mention that you can rent games from a video store for the weekend!

 

[Homercidal]

I really haven't played it in a long time, but I am a WoW addict. That said, I think that you will really enjoy it. True, the graphics are not up to PS3 and Xbox standards, but they don't have to be.

There are lots of fun games out there, and even more for kids than the other systems. They also have more physical games, obviously.

Pro sports games are probably going to be better on the other systems, due to graphics, but I'd like to try throwing the football on a Wii. Seems like it would be more fun that way.

Be prepared to be surprised at how much of a workout you can get with the Wii, especially if you are crazy and add arm weights to the mix. I played tennis to start with and actually got sore from it!

 

[srm775]

Go outside and play.

that's not so easy to do when it's raining and sleeting and about 33°F outside.